The Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) continues to monitor Draft Law 86 concerning the governance of the public schools in Quebec.

A strong public education system that prepares students to become productive and contributing citizens is the foundation of a civil society. Setting the conditions that will provide a high quality education for every student to succeed in school and in life is the absolute first priority of a school board. It is why commissioners, without exception, run for office.

CSBA members represent jurisdictional school board associations across the country, which are made up of universally elected local school boards. This model produces one of the best student success rates in the world. Most significantly, this model allows local communities to be engaged and directly involved in decision-making in education, a researched, evidence based, proven contributor to student success, achievement and well-being for some four million six hundred and sixty six thousand Canadian children.

While CSBA members continue to be adapt and transform to meet the ever-changing needs of our 21st century world, be flexible in adjusting to the ever-changing expectations of children, parents, communities and the larger society we have always ensured that student success is at the centre of all we do. The intention of the Quebec government to replace the present successful system of elected governance with a system of variable structures/electoral colleges is troubling, and at the very least, a distraction from the basic mission of ensuring the best possible education for all students of Quebec.

As such, in the interest of the public voice, a pillar of Canadian democracy and a proven significant contributor to student achievement, well-being and success – CSBA strongly encourages the Quebec government to consider the following:

Democratically elected community representation on every school board is of the utmost importance to the success of the education system and student success. This absolutely must be protected, at the same time recognizing that parents, teachers and administrators play an important and critical role in the system.

In the majority of Canadian jurisdictions, school board elections are held in collaboration with municipal elections, allowing and resulting in far greater voter participation.

Duly elected school boards are important players in the education system and all children in Quebec will benefit if the Quebec government works closely in partnership with the QESBA and the FCSQ.

The Canadian School Boards Association would like to offer our best wishes to you in your new role as Minister of Education and remain at your entire disposal for comments or conversations with a view to in finding solutions that respect all parties and will produce the best outcome for Quebec students. The priorities of our Association are focussed on creating the best possible education system for the children of Canada. We believe this is also your goal and we are prepared to work with you and your government to achieve this vision.

The vision of the CSBA is excellence in public education achieved through democratically elected school boards. Our mission is to support the members school board associations; to advocate the collective interests of the provincial/territorial public school boards; to promote the value of democratically elected school boards.

As of July 1st, in accordance with the CSBA Constitution and by-laws, there has been a change in leadership and the composition of the Board of Directors for the Canadian School Boards Association:

Ruth Ann Furgala (Manitoba) was elected President at the CSBA Spring elections. Having served three consecutive years on the CSBA Board of Directors, she has held the position of Vice-President of the CSBA for the past two years. Ruth Ann is a trustee in the Evergreen School Division in Manitoba and has been a member of the Manitoba School Boards Association for eight years (then known as the Manitoba Association of School Trustees). Ruth Ann is a strong advocate for building partnerships with parents, schools, community and government agencies to create a supportive life-long learning environment.

Our collaborative work and initiatives with key partners and stakeholders will ensure that all Canadians benefit from the strength and diversity of the Canadian education system. Nothing is more important than a united voice supporting public education.

Catherine Fife (Ontario) was elected Vice-President at the CSBA Spring elections. Currently the President of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her new role. As President of OPSBA since June 2010, a trustee for the Waterloo Region District School Board and Vice-President of OPSBA for three consecutive years, she has advocated and lobbied extensively for students, boards and communities on fundamental and critical educational issues. These include focusing on the whole child, fair and equitable funding for First Nations communities, the Coalition for Children and Youth Mental Health, and building community educational supports through strategic partnerships.

We have what it takes to be the strongest advocates for fair and equitable resources that will improve the academic outcomes of all students in our system. I believe our greatest strength is our collective voice, speaking with integrity and courage on behalf of Canada’s children.

The CSBA will be conducting its 88th Annual General Meeting on July 7th at 1:45 PM at the Westin Ottawa, as part of the 2011 CSBA Congress. Newly elected President Ruth Ann Furgala will be chairing the AGM.

If you are attending Congress 2011 please join us to hear about the actions and priorities of the CSBA, as well as an overview of the 2010-2011 year of operations.

New this year-the CSBA will be hosting the “Cross-Canada Check-In” in which each provincial association will address what’s “top of mind” in their province, followed by an interactive question period.

June 21st marks National Aboriginal Day, a day to celebrate the contributions and achievements of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people of Canada. National Aboriginal Day was officially proclaimed by former Governor-General Roméo LeBlanc in 1996. In addition, the month of June is Aboriginal History Month.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlARu_S-wZg

A number of websites offer information on the history of National Aboriginal Day, as well as regional events taking place from coast to coast.

The CSBA is pleased to announce Tom Chau as a speaker at CSBA Congress 2011, July 7-9th in Ottawa.

Recently named a “Transformational Canadian” by the Globe and Mail and Cyberpresse, Dr. Chau is one of Canada’s leading biomedical engineers, and a senior scientist and Canada Research Chair in pediatric rehabilitation and engineering at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. The Globe and Mail describes a Transformational Canadian as “someone who combines a passion for positive change with the discipline and focus to achieve outstanding results.”

Dr. Chau’s work in the area of pediatric disability has changed the lives of thousands of families in Canada and around the world. See an example of Dr. Chau’s work in action as he demonstrates the technology that he has developed to help children with physical disabilities communicate to their fullest potential.

Dr. Chau is the founder of Holland Bloorview’s Infinity Centre for Access Innovations, the world’s first interdisciplinary centre dedicated to discovering accessible pathways and affordable technologies that enable children with physical disabilities to express their preferences. Dr. Chau’s recent research focuses on ‘body-talk’ research that allows for communication through physiological signals, like breathing patterns and heart rates.

In addition, Dr. Chau’s work is having an important and significant impact on services for students in our public schools. The Infinity Communication Access Lab is a joint project between Dr. Chau’s research team at Holland Bloorview and the Toronto District School Board. This new satellite lab at Sunny View Public School in Toronto will improve access to communication technologies for children with complex disabilities within the school board, and around the world.

The CSBA is honoured to have Dr. Chau speak at Congress 2011 and we are looking forward to this exciting event.

The Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association (NLSBA) has been chosen as the recipient of a prestigious annual award, the Destination St. John’s Award of Distinction, for excellence in hosting the 2010 CSBA Congress. Presented by Destination St. John’s and the City of St. John’s, this award is presented to the conference chair and committee that, through the hosting of a national conference, has significantly increased the profile of St. John’s. This award recognizes the significant planning, effort, dedication and commitment the NLSBA and its school districts demonstrated in hosting CSBA 2010.

The NLSBA will receive the award in June at the 20th Annual Tourism Awards Ceremony at City Hall in St. John’s.

Researchers at Memorial University of Newfoundland have launched an ambitious Pan-Canadian research study in collaboration with the Canadian School Boards Association. The work of Dr. Gerald Galway, Dr. Bruce Sheppard, Dr. Jean Brown (Memorial University) and Dr. John Wiens (University of Manitoba) is aimed at furthering understanding of effective governance practices of school boards/districts across Canada with the goal of understanding its effects on student achievement.

To this end, this study will examine policy-making at the school board level. The relationship of school boards and government will be explored, as well as the factors that impact their respective policy-making decisions.

The researchers are requesting participation from trustees and commissioners across Canada through surveys as well as through focus groups taking place in various provinces. Information will be distributed through the provincial school board Associations.